Medical Technologist - Indianapolis, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

Authorized:
This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan repayment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date.

Approval, award amount(up to $200,000) and eligibility period(one to five years)are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services Program Office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

05/09/2024 to 05/23/2024

• Salary

$87,857 - $114,211 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 11

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Indianapolis, IN
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

11

• Job family (Series)

0644 Clinical Laboratory Science

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSR TET

• Control number

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

The Medical Technologist will serve as an MT/MLS/CLS Quality Control Technical Specialist/Medical Technologist in the Chemistry section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard L.

Roudebush Veterans Affair Medical Center. Serves as an expert by being assigned more complex and specialized duties beyond providing patient test results. Assignments may include laboratory test development or modification., method validation/performance evaluation, and providing consultation services to health care providers. Is a Key Operator for the Unity Real Time QC program with responsibility for maintenance, review, and data entry. The Quality Control Technical Specialist ensures the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results.

The incumbent serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for Chemistry, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Urinalysis, and Blood Gases.

They serve as a resource for quality control issues and advises all organizational levels on various aspects of quality control including appropriateness that takes into consideration the clinical context and the effect of quality control on patient testing.

The Technical Specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the guidance of a pathologist or the section supervisor.

The functions of the Quality Control Technical Specialist/Medical Technologist, GS-11 includes but are not limited to the following:

• Assists in leading a unit or team of Medical Technologists performing work at the GS-7, GS-9, and GS-10 level.
• Performs and documents per regulatory agencies quality control on reagents and products, and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.
• In charge of quality control functions, including reviewing quality control reports (Levy-Jennings plots), implementation of quality control products and new lot numbers, investigation of quality control outliers, reporting of quality control for peer review, and collaboration with pathologist and/or Chemistry Supervisor on quality control issues.
• Resolves and writes up any discrepancies and submits to pathologist and supervisor for review.
• Key Operator of the Unity Real Time QC program, and responsibility for the maintenance, review of quality control, and data entry review, and assists in training the team, providing professional and technical advice to other technicians and technologists on all shifts.
• Responsible for the review of the equipment maintenance sheets
• Assists in the preparation of the chemistry section for regulatory inspections by ensuring the section meets regulatory checklist requirements and participates in inspection of other clinical laboratories for accreditation agencies as required.
• Responsible for submission of monthly quality control data for peer review. Any discrepancies are investigated by the incumbent and documentation submitted to pathologist and section supervisor for review. The incumbent collaborates weekly with the section pathologist and section supervisor on all quality control issues.
• Coaches a team in the selection and application of appropriate quality control problem-solving methods and techniques.
• Responsible for monitoring tests analyses through quality control to ensure acceptable levels of performance.
• Oversees biomedical engineering service on chemistry equipment and pipette calibrations in the chemistry section.
• Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity.
• Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed. Instructs technical staff Quality Control Levy-Jennings charts and Westgard Rules and troubleshooting, reporting of Quality Control results, and the use of the Unity Real Time Program. Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired technologists in proper Quality Control performance of tests and applications of the Chemistry procedures.
• The specialist contributes to the development of comprehensive procedures manuals with periodic review and updating of such manuals. Updates and authorizes new procedures when necessary.
• Calibrates, standardizes, and adjusts instruments; verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks; and identifies the causes of common and difficult instrument problems and makes repairs.
• Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the chemistry section.
• Recommends new or replacement instrumentation

Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday, rotating weekends and holidays


Compressed/Flexible:
Not Available


Telework:
Not Available


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91734-A


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized


Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/23/2024.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

United States Citizenship:

Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Language Proficiency:
MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English.


Education and/or Experience Combination:
(1) A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.). AND completion of a medical technology clinical practice program. Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, formerly CAHEA), or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The professional curriculum may have consisted of a post-baccalaureate certificate program or be integrated into a four-year program of study that culminated in a baccalaureate degree.

OR,

(2) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (with one course inorganic or biochemistry) and one course in mathematics, AND two years of post-certification clinical laboratory experience (e.g., blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, clinical microscopy, etc.) within the last ten years as a certified Medical Laboratory Technician by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification(ASCP-BOC), American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR) or American Medical Technologists (AMT). This experience must include performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology immunology and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience which matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory.

OR,

(3) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (with one course inorganic or biochemistry) and one course in mathematics, AND five years of clinical laboratory experience within the last ten years performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience which matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory.

Certification.

Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below:
(1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT.

(2) For positions up to the full performance level, candidates must currently possess the categorical or specialist technologist level certification from the certification agencies listed above, such as, but not limited to, chemistry (C/SC), hematology (H/SH), microbiology (M/SM), molecular biology (MB/SMB)and blood bank (BB/SBB). Technologists with categorical or specialist certifications may only perform duties within the area of the laboratory specific to their categorical certification (e. g., an individual with a chemistry (C) certification can only perform duties in chemistry).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:
GS-11

(a) Experience - Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled.

OR

(b) Education - Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.
D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related field.

(c) Assignments - These assignments require specialized training and experience and have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Continuation of Qualification Standards is in the Education Tab

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note:
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here:
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education


For further information, visit:

Continuation of Qualifications standards:
a.

Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medicolegal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.

b. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing.

c.

Advanced knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired technologists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of the laboratory procedures.

d.

Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.

e. Advanced knowledge of a particular discipline or function with wide latitude for exercising sound independent judgment.

References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/72PART II APPENDIX G24

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements:

The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas with the laboratory and throughout the medical center.

The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time.

Requires intermittent moderate lifting pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.

Working Environment:
Typical laboratory work area. Everyday exposure to contagious diseases in their contact with patients is present. Exposure to serum hepatitis, AIDS, and patients with other infectious diseases is a special hazard. Daily handling of dangerous chemicals is also required.

Must be cognizant of both hospital and laboratory safety regulations and takes appropriate action to protect the patient, self, and other healthcare staff and visitors.

Additional information

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job.

Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious, or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.


NOTE:

You must include qualifying specialized experience in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week).

AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume

Narrative responses are not required at this time.

If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job-related information, which may include, but is not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.

Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on a resume or during an interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy:
The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to a lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those who have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members:

Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.